Rand Paul seeks to halt Palestinian aid

WASHINGTON - Sen. Rand Paul on Tuesday introduced legislation cutting off American aid to the Palestinian government until it agrees to a ceasefire and recognizes Israel's right to exist.

The Kentucky Republican is considering a presidential bid in 2016.

In a statement Tuesday, Paul said his bill would "make all future aid to the Palestinian government conditional upon the new unity government putting itself on the record recognizing the right of Israel to exist as a Jewish state and agreeing to a lasting peace."

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas announced last week that his Fatah party would form a unity government with long-time rival Hamas.

Analysts interpreted the move as an effort to bring pressure on Israel to agree to demands of the Palestinian Authority in peace negotiations.

But two previous efforts at Palestinian unity failed.

In any case, Paul contended in a statement Monday that "Israel cannot be expected to negotiate with an entity that does not believe it should exist and that has used terrorist tactics to seek its end."

The effort at Palestinian unity brings "both danger and opportunity to the peace process, and the next five weeks may prove critical," the senator said.